By Kemo Cham
Guinea’s military junta has dismissed reports that the country is hosting a base for foreign troops in the country, describing it as false and insulting.
The reports circulated online suggested that the troops from an unnamed foreign country had an agenda of destabilizing an unnamed neighboring country.
However, a junta spokesman said on Friday that Guinea has no intention of stabilizing its neighbours and that it is capable of protecting its security own and therefore doesn’t need the help of any foreign troops.
Major General Amara Camara, Spokesperson for the Presidency, said during a ceremony to decorate promoted officers in the Republic of Guinea Army that at no time in the country’s history has it hosted any foreign troops on its territory.
“I say it and reiterate it: there is nowhere on Guinean territory, from 1958 until 2024, a single portion of our territory where there is a foreign soldier,” he said, noting that Guinea has always handled its defense and security by itself.
“Guinea ensures its territorial integrity itself and does not depend on any other country to guarantee its security or defense. We are firmly convinced of this. We are not a country that will serve as a stronghold, base or support for any force to destabilize a neighboring country. On this point, we are uncompromising,” stressed Amara, who is one of 16 senior officers decorated after their ranks in the army were elevated.
Junta leader and president of the national transition council, Mamadi Doumbouya, promoted dozens of soldiers over the weekend, including himself, 16 senior officers and over 800 junior officers.
The senior officers were promoted to Brigadier General, Major general, Lt General and, in the case of the head of state himself, Army General.
Two retired generals were also promoted to the ranks of Commander and Grand Officer, two of the highest national honors.
The occasion coincided with the 66th anniversary of the creation of the Guinean army on November 1st.
Guinea has been under military rule since 5 September, 2021, after Doumbouya ousted former president Alpha Conde, whom the military accused of corruption and maladministration.
Conde, who has been living in exile, issued a statement marking Army Day on Friday, in which he accused the junta he described as illegitimate of dividing the army for private and foreign interests.
Guineans have been yearning for return to civilian rule since Conde’s ouster.
The country is expected to conducted elections at the end of this year, according to an agreement between the military leaders and the Economic Community of West African States.
